YouGov poll reveals handwriting as important as ever for Brits

Posted by Hazel Fieldwick

April 27-May 3 marks National Stationery Week where Britons, young and old, are being encouraged to fall in love with writing by hand again

YouGov poll reveals that Brits still believe handwriting is an essential skill and important for school children to learn

Despite the dawn of the digital age, Brits still take the time to send ‘thank you’ notes by hand

In these digital days, it’s hard to find a person who hasn’t sent a text from their smartphone or email from their iPad before lunch. But a new poll has found that Brits still treasure the age-old skill of handwriting with the majority agreeing that handwriting remains as important as it ever was.

More than two thirds of people surveyed (68%) agreed that handwriting remains avery important tool, and 92% that it is very or fairly important while 97% agreed that it is important to teach handwriting to school children.

While 34% of people admitted they will use text messages or emails to send ‘thank you’ notes this year – almost half of those surveyed (47%) said they would send one by hand, with almost a third (29%) revealing that, despite the technology available at their fingertips, they had sent a handwritten letter or note in the previous month.

Chris Leonard-Morgan organiser of National Stationery Week, said: “Whether it’s jotting down a shopping list, writing a birthday card, taking down a phone message or filling in an application form, handwriting is part of our daily lives. While modern technology has transformed the way we communicate, the skill of handwriting remains important in education, employment and everyday life. It isn’t a question of just using one or the other.

“The results of the YouGov poll show that handwriting remains as important as ever, with the overwhelming majority of people surveyed saying they believed it was an important tool and that it is vital children are taught handwriting at school.”

So, if you want to support our campaign to ensure the beauty of handwriting continues for generations to come, it’s time to pick up your pen, start talking about stationery and keep Britain writing!